Clutch mechanism.



H. S. MUSTIN.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED D120. 6, 1909.

Patented Jan. 23, 1912.

2 sums-sum '1.

H. S. MUSTIN.

GLUTOH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED no; a, 1909.

Patented J an. 23,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE. I

HERBERT SFMUSTIN, O1 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE AUSTIN MIATI:T['J'I?AC-- TUBING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01 ILLINOIS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT S. MUsTIN, a resident of Chica o, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, and precise specification.

My invention relates to clutch mechanism for connecting driving mechanism with parts to be driven.

My invention is particularly adaptable for connecting a contlnuously driving member with parts to be driven, but which parts to be driven are apt to be suddenly stopped whereafter further drive thereof would result in injury, as for example, in power driven lawn mowers where a driving engine operates continuously and the cuttingknives are apt to meet with stones and other obstructions so that further positive drive of the knives would result in injury thereto. In such machines it is also desirable that the knives be driven only in the cutting direction to be free to rotate in the cutting direction due to their inertia after slowing up or stopping of the machine.

Among the salient objects of my invention, therefore, are to provide clutch mechanism in which the various associated parts are not positively connected together; to provide an improved arrangement in which the source has yielding and preferably friction engagement with the clutch mechanism; to provide an improved arrangement in which the driven member has connection in the clutch mechanism to be driven positively only in one direction and to be free to continue in this direction due to its own inertia after slowing up or stopping of the machine; to provide an improved arrangement in which the driven parts have- CLUTCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 6, 1909; Serial No. 581,528.

plug P.

diagrammatic view showing my improved clutch mechanism interposed between the driving engine and mower blades, Fi 2 1s an enlarged sectional view taken on p ane 2-2, Flg. 1, Fig. 3 is an end view of the clutch mechanism taken from plane 33, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a view of the other end of the clutch mechanism, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of an annular gear forming part of the differential mechanlsm.

In Fig. 1 E represents the-driving engine,

Patented Jan. 23, 1912. a

0 represents. as a whole my improved clutch mechanism connected with the engine shaft S in which maybe included suitable speed changing mechanism G. The driven shaft section a extending from the clutch mechanism is shown as carrying a bevel pinion b meshing with a companion pinion 0 carried atone end of a shaft (Z whose other end carries a bevel pinion f meshing with a bevel pinion 9 connected with trunnion 72. extending from a lower rotary blade frame 7'. A hearing 'frame 7' journaling trunnion h and a bearing frame is journaling the opposite trunnion Z support a knife bar m.

In the remaining figures the construction of the clutch mechanism is shown in detail. This clutch mechanism comprises a substantially cylindrical body part 1 having a central Web 2 carrying the axial hub 3. At the left and right ends respectively of the body frame are the flanges 4 and 5 surrounding the cylindrical pockets 6 and 7 respectively. In Figs. 2 and 4 is shown an expanding clutch r1ng 8 having a hub 9 at a point diametrically opposite the spoke 14 being separated by a gap 17 and being enlarged to form cylindrical sections 18 and 19 between which a drill is run to form a cylindrical axial passageway 20 for receiving the c lindrical hub 21 of ex ansion See Fig. 2). The outer aces of the sections 18 and 19 are counter-sunk to leave a pocket 22 for receiving the head 23 of the expansion plug. The hub has alsoa threaded radial opening 24 for receiving a set screw 25 for securing the expansion rmg on shaft S after longitudinal adjustment thereon. The expansion plug has the radial arm 26 whose'end has a threaded passage-.

slide thereon is a collar 29 having the longitudinal opening 30 in which is secured a wedge '31 by set screw 32 this wedge extending toward the arm 26 in the plane of the cam pin 28. The wedge has the upper cam ridge 31, as shown. The peripheral groove 32 on the collar receives a fork 33 operable by the operator to slide the collar along the shaft S. The plug hub 21 has the radial extensions 21 and 21 which engage in the gap 17. When cam ridge 31 is withdrawn from cam pin 28, the ends and 16 of the expansion ring are together and free from the clutch frame 1. However, when collar 29 is slidinwardly, the cam ridge engages the cam pin to swing arm 26 and to rotate hub 21 to swing extensions 21 and 21 in the gap 17, thereby spreading apart ends 15 and 16 to frictionally clamp the expansion ring tofiange 5 so that the clutch body will rot-ate with the engine shaft. The end of shaft S extends a distance into hub 3 and isthereby held in perfect axial alinement, hub 3 being provided with a bushing 34 to reduce friction. The engine is preferably of the explosive type and the shaft S will, therefore, rotate continuously. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the body part 1 has a plurality. of longitudinal cylindrical pockets 35 equidistant from the axial center, four such pockets being shown spaced ninety degrees apart. In each pocket is a compression spring 36 for driving outwardly a clutch pin 37 having a rounded head 38. An internal ear annulus 39 fits loosely in pocket 6 and in its inner face has circular concave notches 40 for receiving the rounded ends of'pins 37, twelve equally spaced notches being provided as shown, although more could be provided. The gear annulus'has the inner ratchet teeth 41 extending about; the entire inner periphery, this gear annulus forming one member of differential mechanism whose other member is also shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This member comprises a central hub 42 for receiving the driven shaft a, a key 43 engaging in keyways 44 and45 of the shaft and hub respectively to lock the differential member to the shaft. The hub has a number of equally spaced radial extensions 46, three being shown, and each extension is provided with a cylindrical pocket 47 extending parallel with the axis of the member, eachpocket having an outlet passage 48 extending substantially at right angles to the radial plane passing through the axes of the-hub and the pocket. The pockets receive the cylindrical heads 49 0f pawls 50 whose ends 51 cotiperate with the ratchet.

teeth of the annulus 39, as shown in Fig. 2,

the outlets 48 being sufliciently wide to allow rotational movement of the pawls. Referring to Fig. 3, if the ear annulus'rotates in a counterclockwlse .direction its teeth will be engaged by the pawls so that the pawl frame and the shaft a rotate with the annulus. If the annulus rot-ates in a clockwise direction or the shaft a rotates faster than the annulus the pawls will drag over the teeth. The differential members will be retained in pocket 6 by the cover 52 secured by bolts 53 to flange 4. During normal operation of the clutch the spring pressed clutch teeth 37 will retain their ends in notches 40 and the annulus will be carried with the clutch-body in counterclockwise direction to engage the pawls to drive the'clutch member 42 and shaft a in couuterclocluvise direction. If, however, for any reason shaft a is stop ed, the'annulus will stop and the clutch pins will click noisily over the notches to give warning to the operator who will stop the clutch body until the impediment has been removed. Also, if the clutch body is stopped or slows down the inertia of the driven mechanism can rotate the differential member 42 independently of the annulus and clutch body. The inner end of shaft a extends into bushing 42 of hub 3 and is held in perfect alinement. The bearing surfaces of the shafts and the bushing 40 can be kept well lubricated by oil applied in the oil well 54 extending radially through hub 3 and enlargement 55 on web 2, the well terminating at the outside of the body part 1, as best shown in Fig. 1, and provided with a threaded plug 56.

The clutch mechanism of my invention comprises a minimum number of simple parts arranged in simple yet substantial manner. the parts within the clutch frame and none of the parts are positively connected together. By removing cover 52 the annulus will be pushed outwardly by the force of springs 35, and no difliculty will be experienced in replacing the pins and the annulus. When the pins are inserted the annulus is applied and the pins and annulus are carried into proper position when the screws 53 are drawn up to secure the cover in place. When the cover is removed the pawls can be readily extracted and the differential member 42 withdrawn. The expansion ring and the expansion controllin parts can also be readily disconnected an assembled. Eflicient oiling can be provided for from the outside of the clutch.mechanism without disturbing the clutch parts.

Having thus described my invention and its desirable features, I claim the followin 1. In a clutch, the combination of a body part substantially in the form of a cylindrical shell, a gear journaled on and within Access can be readily had to all necting sai gear with said shell, means for confining the gear within the shell, driving means for the shell, and parts toube driven associated with said gear within said'shelli 2. In combination, a substantially cylindrical shell, an annular internal gear journaled on and within said shell, means yield-- ably connecting said gear with said shell to rotate therewith, means for rotating said shell, and mechanism to be driven associated with said gear within said shell.

3. In combination, a substantially cylindrical shell having an annular pocket at one end, an annulus in said pocket, a cover en-.

gaging the end of the shell adjacent said pocket and forming with said pocket a bearing for said annulus, clutch mechanism connecting said annulus with said shell, said annulus having internal teeth, and a member to be driven mounted within said annulus and having extensions for engaging with said annulus teeth.

4. In combination, a body part substan-* tially in the form of a cylindrical shell, the v 4 inner side of said shell having po'ckets ex,-

tending substantially parallel with the shell axis, friction clutch pins in said pockets, springs tending to force said pins from said pockets, a'gear within the shell adjacent the outlets of said pockets and having grooves for receivingthe ends of the pins, a cover engaging one end of the shell to lock the gear within the shell and to hold it against the pin ends, driving means for said shell, and parts to be driven associated with said gear within said shell.

'5. In combination, a substantially cylindrical shell having a central annular inner projection provided with pockets extending in the direction of the shell axis, pins in said pockets, compression springs in said pockets tending to force the ends of the pins beyond the pocket out-lets, an annular internal gear having notches in one face for receiving the projecting ends of the pins, means for confining the gear within said shell and for holding it adjacent said projection to maintain engagement between the gear and the pins, means for rotating the shell, and mechanism to be driven associated with said gear.

6. In combination, a substantially cylindrical shell having a central inner annular tween said grooves and said pins, ratchet teeth on the inner face of said annulus,

means-for rotating said shell, a shaft to be driven extending axially into said shell, a 'pawl frame carried on said shaft, and pawls pivoted on. said'pawl frame for cooperating with said ratchet teeth.

1 within the pockets tending to force the ends of the pins beyond the pocket outlets, an 'annulus having concave grooves in one face for receiving the rounded ends of the pins, means for holding said annulus adjacent said wall whereby the rounded ends of the spring pressed pins may enter said grooves, said wall having an'a-xial cylindrical bearing passageway, a shaft extending through said compartment and into said passageway, a member to be driven mounted on said shaft within said" bod partand provided with teeth, said annul nal teeth for cooperating with the teeth of the part to be driven, a drive shaft extending through the other compartment and into said passageway, and a drive member in said other compartment connected with said ends of the body part, there being pockets along. the outer part of said wall and extending from one of said cylindrical compartments in the direction of the body part axis, clutch pins in said pockets having rounded outer ends, compression springs within the pockets tending to force the ends of the pins beyond the pocket outlets, an annulus having concave grooves in one face for receivin the rounded ends of the pins,

means for olding said annulusadjacent said wall whereby the rounded ends of the spring pressed pins may enter said grooves, said Wall having an axial cylindrical bearing passageway, a shaft extending through said compartment and into said passageway, a member to be driven mounted on said shaft within said body part and provided with teeth, said annulus having internal teeth for cooperating with the teeth of the part to be driven, a drive shaft extending through the other compartment and into said passageway, and a drive member in said other compartment connected with said drive shaft and adapted for frictional driving engagement with said body part.

9. In combination, a substantially cylinus having interwall leaving cylindrical compartments at the drical wall having a lateral peripheral flange forming a cylindrical compartment 3 adjacent said wall, said wall havin pockets ment friction pins in said pockets having rounded outer ends, compression springs within said pockets tending to project said pins into said compartment, an annulus having concave grooves in one face for receiving the rounded ends of said pins, means for confining said annulus in said compartment and against said pins, a shaft to be driven extending axially through saidcompartmentand j ournaled in said wall, a pawl frame within said compartment secured to said shaft, ratchet teeth projecting from the inner face of said annulus, pawls pivoted to said pawl frame for cooperating with saidratchet teeth, and means for rotating said. wall.

10. In combination, a substantially cylindrical wall having a lateral peripheral flange forming a cylindrical compartment adjacent said Wall, said wall being provided with pockets near its periphery extendingin axial direction and opening into said compartment, friction pins in said pockets having rounded outer ends, springs in said pockets tending to project said pins into said compartment, an annulus having c011- -oave grooves in one face for receiving the roundedends of said pins, means secured to said flange for confining said annulus in said compartment and for holding said annulus against said spring actuated pins, a shaft to be driven extending axially through said compartment and journaled in said wall, a pawl frame within said compartment secured to said shaft, said pawl frame having cylindrical axially extending pockets, pawls having cylindrical heads pivoted in said pockets and extending therefrom toward said annulus, ratchet teeth on the inner face of said annulus for cooperating with the pawl ends, and driving means for rotating said wall. v 11. In combination, a substantially cylindrical wall having a lateral peripheral flange forming a cylindrical compartment adjacent said wall, said wall being provided with pockets near its periphery extending in axial direction and openin into said compartment, friction pins in said pockets having rounded outer ends, springs in said pockets tending to project said pins into said compartment, an annulus having concave grooves in one face for receiving the rounded ends of said pins, means secured to said flange for confining said annulus in said compartment and for holding said annulus against said spring actuated pins, a shaft to be driven extending axially through said compartment and journaled in said wall, a pawl frame within said compartment secured'to said shaft, said pawl frame having cylindrical axially extending pockets,

pawls having cylindrical heads pivoted in said pockets and extending therefrom toward said annulus, ratchet teeth on the inner face of said annulus for cooperating with the pawl ends, and driving means adapted for frictional driving engagement with said wall.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of November, A. D.

HERBERT S. MUSTIN. W'itnesses:

CHARLES J. SCHMIDT,- NELLIE 'B. DEAnnonN. 

